16:1. It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to
govern the tongue.
It is the part of man, etc.... That is, a man should prepare in his
heart and soul what he is to say: but after all, it must be the Lord
that must govern his tongue, to speak to the purpose. Not that we can
think any thing of good without God’s grace; but that after we have
(with God’s grace) thought and prepared within our souls what we would
speak, if God does not govern our tongue, we shall not succeed in what
we speak.
16:2. All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the
weigher of spirits.
16:3. Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be
directed.
16:4. The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for
the evil day.
16:5. Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should
be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is
to do justice: and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer
sacrifices.
16:6. By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed; and by the fear of the
Lord men depart from evil.
16:7. When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even
his enemies to peace.
16:8. Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with
iniquity.
16:9. The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his
steps.
16:10. Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err
in judgment.
16:11. Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all
the weights of the bag.
16:12. They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the
throne is established by justice.
16:13. Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right
things shall be loved.
16:14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man
will pacify it.
16:15. In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his
clemency is like the latter rain.
16:16. Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase
prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
16:17. The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his
soul keepeth his way.
16:18. Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up
before a fall.
16:19. It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils
with the proud.
16:20. The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth
in the Lord is blessed.
16:21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet
in words, shall attain to greater things.
16:22. Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the
instruction of fools is foolishness.
16:23. The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add
grace to his lips.
16:24. Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and
health to the bones.
16:25. There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof
lead to death.
16:26. The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because
his mouth hath obliged him to it.
16:27. The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
16:28. A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words
separateth princes.
16:29. An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way
that is not good.
16:30. He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips,
bringeth evil to pass.
16:31. Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of
justice.
16:32. The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth
his spirit, than he that taketh cities.
16:33. Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the
Lord.